Exeter couple loses combined 400 pounds

Sunday

Mar 24, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Scott and Sarah Oxton, who both just turned 30, are celebrating.

Karen Dandurant

Scott and Sarah Oxton, who both just turned 30, are celebrating.

The Oxtons, who live in Exeter, are expecting their first child in September. And, between the two of them, they are celebrating the combined loss of 400 pounds; a weight loss they say will make them healthier and better prepared to be parents.

Both struggled with weight their entire lives and chose bariatric surgery, specifically, a gastric bypass to help their health and to be ready to raise a healthy child.

"I dragged Scott to a seminar at Portsmouth (Regional) Hospital, kicking and screaming," Sarah said. "He felt it was dangerous. I was sick of being overweight, and I didn't want to lose him. Being overweight is very bad for your health. After he learned more, we decided to take this journey together. We wanted kids and we want to be able to run around with them."

Scott was 471 pounds and wore a size 56 pants. He has dropped about 250 pounds and wears a size 36 now. Sarah went from about 296 pounds, wearing a size 24, to a size 8 after losing about 150 pounds.

"The surgery hurt and it was not easy," Scott said. "I focused on the end benefit."

The bariatric surgeries were done for Sarah and Scott in December 2011 and March 2012, respectively, at Portsmouth Regional Hospital by Dr. Cynthia Paciulli. The couple is working on lifelong maintenance of their new selves with registered dietician Jessica LeFleur.

"We both know we need to work on our diet and exercise carefully or we will regain the weight," Sarah said. "I count calories and track protein. We are careful to avoid certain foods that we used to eat all the time. We are too happy with what we have accomplished."

Sarah said their diet means no sugar added. She said those things are considered novelties now and if they eat them, it is in very small portions.

"We are learning that there are always ways around a craving," she said. "I miss doughnuts because I loved them. Now I really can't wrap my mind around eating one. Instead of a glass of orange juice, which is loaded with sugar; I'll eat an orange. From the start, we will teach our child how to eat healthy."

"What a transformation they have seen," LeFleur said.

Immediately after surgery, the Oxtons were on a liquid diet low in sugar and high in protein. LeFleur said solid protein, meats, cheese and eggs, then fruits and vegetables, were gradually introduced to promote healing and prevent hair loss.

"The biggest thing is to avoid added sugars because that can cause "dumping syndrome," which is sort of like a hypoglycemic reaction in diabetics," LeFleur said. "It can result in diarrhea, vomiting, sweating and a rapid heartbeat. That can happen anytime, so sugar will need to be watched their entire lives."

"We have support groups every month," LeFleur said. "As to Sarah's pregnancy and her fear of weight gain, we will set specific weight gain ranges for her and she will need to be monitored for glucose levels. She doesn't need to fear the weight because we can control it in a healthy way. It's all about moderation."

Insurance covered their operations. Paciulli said New Hampshire now mandates the coverage, but there are specific guidelines to qualify for bariatric surgery.

"Bariatric surgery is for patients who are severely obese or who have other morbidities affected by their weight," Paciulli said. "A person must be at least 100 pounds over their ideal weight. Or, their BMI (body mass index) must be above 40 or 35 if related illnesses apply. They must be someone who cannot lose weight by traditional dietary changes and exercise. Their own body physiology fights them."

A gastric bypass combines the goals of restricting intake and preventing absorption of too many nutrients. This is accomplished by reducing the size of the stomach and by rearranging the portion of the intestines where the greatest amount of absorption takes place.

As with any surgery, there are risks, the biggest being the deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. Careful monitoring and medication are used to minimize the risk.

In addition, Paciulli said control of diseases associated with excess weight it is now a recognized benefit. Mounting evidence suggests it may be included among the most effective treatments for metabolic diseases and conditions including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obstructive sleep apnea.

Sarah had the precursor signs of developing type 2 diabetes.

"I was insulin resistant and was on metformin," she said. "I haven't needed to be on it for a while now. Scott's family has a history of diabetes and I was worried about him before."

Scott said he used to snore, a potential sign of sleep apnea. He doesn't snore now.

He used to have knee and back issues, and get winded when climbing stairs.

Increased energy is another bonus for the Oxtons. Both now exercise regularly.

"I could barely run a mile before and I just ran a 5K race," Scott said. "Everything feels better now."

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